Client Brief
The Microsoft team is based all over the EMEA region and some team members work remotely. This caused some communication barriers, which Microsoft wished to address away from the office environments and work pressures.
They wanted an event to improve team dynamics and develop networking skills to create a more cohesive team. They wanted to create a supportive environment to enable employees to collaborate and share good practice whilst enabling the team to collaborate with different personalities and job roles.
The venue had to be within easy access of airports due to half the team coming in from outside the UK
Our thinking
Chillisauce suggested a training and activity centre based in the Welsh Mountains. It offered 4* accommodation and living space in a period property with an array of indoor and outside activities, which could be tailored to meet their business objectives.
The teams' objective would be to find the lost treasure of the valleys by competing against one another in a number of challenges over 2 days to earn as many points as possible.
Throughout the 2 days the group would be split into 2 teams and compete head to head on all activities. The team members will be changed after several challenges so that all delegates will have been in each team and therefore have worked together at some point.
This method enables each delegate to have been in the �winning team� at some point to highlight that strongest team is made up of all of them with their various strengths coming to the for at various points.
Onsite facilitators complement the activities and supported delegates to guide the Microsoft team through each activity and the understanding of team and individual development and learning behind each task.
The Finer Details
The competitive activities they participated in were ice breakesr, raft building, nightline, gorge walking, high ropes and a pub treasure hunt. The teams worked together in the final Z task to share best practice and achieve the goal as one team.
These activities encouraged the group to consider team work, working under pressure, rapport building and leadership, negotiating, persuasion and influencing skills, going beyond comfort zones, tackling and solving challenges and problems, communication skills and building confidence.
Feedback on the event
'Thank you for the wonderful two and a half days away you organised for us, your quick and open communication allowed us to set up this event in swift time. The event was a complete success and we will be recommending you to other departments.'